tomamos
/toh-MAH-mos/
we take
"Tomamos" means "we take," like when we take items for ourselves or as a group.
tomamos(Verb)
we take
?Present tense, physical action or abstract choice
,we took
?Past tense, completed action
we grab
?Physical action
,we seize
?Abstract action, like an opportunity
📝 In Action
Siempre tomamos el camino más largo para ver el paisaje.
A2We always take the long road to see the scenery.
Ayer tomamos una decisión muy importante para el equipo.
B1Yesterday we took a very important decision for the team.
💡 Grammar Points
Dual Identity: Present vs. Past
The form 'tomamos' is special because it means both 'we take/are taking' (Present Tense) and 'we took' (Simple Past Tense). You must use context (like time words, e.g., 'ayer' or 'hoy') to know which one is meant.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Tomar' and 'Llevar'
Mistake: "Using 'tomar' when you mean 'to carry' or 'to take (someone/something) somewhere'."
Correction: Use 'tomar' for grabbing or consuming, but use 'llevar' for transportation or carrying: 'Llevamos las maletas al coche' (We carry the suitcases to the car).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use for Public Transit
When talking about using a bus, train, or taxi, 'tomamos' is the standard verb: 'Tomamos el autobús a la ciudad'.
A common meaning of "tomamos" is "we drink," especially when referring to beverages like juice or coffee.
tomamos(Verb)
we drink
?Present tense, beverages
,we drank
?Past tense, beverages
we have (a beverage)
📝 In Action
Cuando hace calor, siempre tomamos mucha agua.
A1When it's hot, we always drink a lot of water.
Anoche tomamos chocolate caliente antes de dormir.
A1Last night we drank hot chocolate before sleeping.
💡 Grammar Points
Drinking vs. Eating
In Spanish, 'tomar' is often preferred over 'beber' for drinks, especially in Spain and Mexico. We use 'comer' for solid food and 'tomar' for liquids.
⭐ Usage Tips
Polite Offering
If you are offering someone a drink, you might ask, '¿Qué tomamos?' (What are we having/drinking?)
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tomamos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'tomamos' to mean something that happened yesterday?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'tomamos' means 'we took' (past) or 'we take' (present)?
You need context! Look for time markers like 'hoy' (today) or 'siempre' (always) for the present, or 'ayer' (yesterday) or 'la semana pasada' (last week) for the past. If no time marker is present, the general flow of conversation will usually make it clear.
Can I use 'tomar' for taking a pill or medicine?
Yes, absolutely. 'Tomamos la medicina por la mañana' means 'We take the medicine in the morning.' This falls under the consumption/intake meaning.